Erling Haaland fully embraced the Halloween spirit when he donned full-blown Joker makeup, green hair, and all, and ventured onto the streets of Manchester just hours ahead of a crucial match for Manchester City.

A viral video, posted to Haaland's YouTube channel under the title "I Went Undercover as The Joker in the Streets of Manchester!", shows the striker terrifying locals and was a reminder that even world-class athletes occasionally swap boots for a prank, without losing sight of the stakes ahead.

In the clip, the Norwegian-forward, accompanied by partner Isabel Haugseng Johansen, preps the look, commenting, "It is the evening before Halloween, so we are going to dress up a bit."

What happened next was both surprising and telling. Haaland entered a Manchester shop disguised as the Joker, but was recognized almost immediately by a man who said, "That's the Manchester City-mate, isn't it?"

The man added, "Look how tall you are. I have seen you play football."

Undeterred, Haaland continued the stunt into a second store only to be spotted again. The video captures his bewildered look and questions like, "How did you see? How did you..." as he is identified yet again.

With City preparing for a Premier League encounter against AFC Bournemouth the next day, the prank serves as a live window into Haaland's psyche: the athletic elite who can dominate on the field, but still relish slipping into something unconventional off it.

And while the stunt has an entertainment value, it also offers a subtle statement. Haaland is fully aware of his status and visibility, but he chooses when to lean into it.

Haaland's off-field rhythm and on-field demands

This isn't the first time Haaland has used modern media channels-his YouTube presence and lifestyle content reflect a deliberately cultivated brand beyond the pitch.

For Manchester City and manager Pep Guardiola, such commentary and personality can build momentum, but it also introduces variables.

he forward's play-off form remains intense: with last season's tally of 52 goals in all competitions and his relentless drive to improve, City's challenge is finding the balance between his public profile and the demands that come with delivering at the highest level.

Haaland's reputation for sprinting past defenders, scoring with both feet, and absolutely dominating aerial duels is well-established.

As City pursues Premier League, Champions League, and domestic cup ambitions, every minute off the field becomes part of the overall puzzle, recovery, focus, narrative control, and public image.

As Manchester City gear up for their next match, the headline figure is still Haaland, the striker, the goal machine, the Premier League powerhouse.

Yet tonight's Joker disguise adds a layer: Haaland the performer, the individual who isn't just defined by goals but by presence.

One wonders whether his next bit of theatre will be on the pitch rather than in a video, but if so, the audience is already paying attention.